The increase in pensions and other measures introduced by government have cushioned the impact of rising inflation among elderly people, the Commissioner for Older Persons, Mary Vella, has told The Malta Independent on Sunday.

Over the past weeks and months, many members of the public have complained about the increase in the cost of living, mainly due to a rise in the price of essential products and foodstuffs.

Since the New Year, local dairy products have increased by up to €2. Groceries such as a loaf of bread or different fruit have also seen an increase, while meat products such as chicken have also seen an increase in price due to the rising costs of animal feed.

The prices in raw materials have shot up particularly due to a global shortage, as well as freight expenses brought about by the pandemic.

In a recent statement, 22 Church entities said they are seeking action in an effort to curb inflation of basic food prices.

The price of basic items such as pasta, sauce and oil has gone up by 20%, they said. The entities have said that people from lower walks of life, as well as the vulnerable and the elderly, have been severely affected by the inflation, so much so that they cannot afford to pay for power and water in their homes.

This newsroom contacted Vella about the impacts of inflation on the elderly and pensioners, and asked if there were any cases where they have not been able to accommodate to the high cost of living.

She pointed out that government has put in several efforts in keeping prices as stable as possible, including energy costs, to reduce the negative impacts for the elderly.

Vella told this newsroom that each budget since 2015 has included increases in pensions, which has resulted into a substantial rise nowadays. The Commissioner noted that Eurostat statistics, which showed the number of people who are considered materially deprived and which had included thousands of elderly persons, has decreased drastically.

Government has also provided several financial aids as well as “in-kind” help, referring to aid and relief given beyond monetary terms, she said.

“From my office, we will continue to observe changes in prices as well as actions by the government,” said Vella.

NSO statistics have shown that in December 2021, the annual rate of inflation in food prices, as measured by the Retail Price Index, was 2.59%, up from the 2.38% in November 2021, emphasizing that food and restaurant prices contributed to the largest upward impact on annual inflation in December.

The Nationalist Party has also consistently said that the elderly, those with an illness or disability, as well as people who are in poverty have been greatly affected by rising food prices. It said that this has put several more people at risk of poverty.